JOIN USThe Rabindranath Tagore Nagar Cultural Association is catering to the cultural needs of the connoisseurs of Bengaluru North, from last 27 years. Apart from the music concerts every month, the association organises, dance, bhajan, namasankeerthana, music competitions and annual music festival. The 27th anniversary was held last week jointly with the Sri Vinayaka Devasthana Samithi, and dedicated to M S Subbulakshmi.
The melodic grace that is the forte of duets is unmistakable in the singing of Hari Priya and Shanmukha Priya, popularly known as Priya Sisters. Though the concert was mainly on Tallapakam Annamacharya's compositions, few compositions of other composers were also presented evocatively.
"Vinayaka Vighnaraja" gave them a serene start. After the popular "Chinnanade," they chose a meaningful Kannada devaranama "Maanava Janma Doddadu." The alap had a meditative approach and the swara was complementary to the raga. "Garuda Gamana ..... Namo Namo" followed by "Oka Bari Oka Bari" were also appealing. The lyrical appeal in the Annamaiah's kritis accented its instant likeability. Their alap for Sindhubhairavi flowed gracefully, meandering over all the salient features of the raga and stood out for its emotional sensitivity.
M A Krishnaswamy on violin, Sai Giridhar on mridanga and Trichi Murali on ghata - accompanied with good understanding.
EVOCATIVE DEVOTIONALS
Young vocalist V Raghavendran is a disciple of Udupi Gopalakrishnan and Dr Vidyabhushan and has performed in few places like Chennai, Bengaluru, Udupi, Mantralaya, Mulabagal etc. Despite being a physically challenged person he performs standing throughout the programme, instead of squatting posture.
Raghavendran presented 15 compositions of different composers. He opened his concert with "Jaya Janaki Kaantha" of Purandara Dasa in the raga Naata. For a good measure he also sang a number of Ugabhogas (Koti Koti Janmake, Aaru Vandisalenu) and extract from Harikathamruthasara (Kadu Karani, Dheena Naanu), which also suited the occasion.
Well known compositions of Swathi Tirunal (Deva Deva Kalayamithe), Papanasam Sivan (Saravana Bhava Enum) and Tyagaraja (Ora Jupu). Audience well received different Purandara Dasa devaranamas sung by Raghavendran, like Dariyavudayya, Narayana Ninna Naamada, Pillangoviya Chelva Krishnana, Kaliyugadolu Hari Naamava, Aacharavillada Naalige.
With his sincere approach, Raghavendran sang neatly, without overdoing anything. With some more higher training and home work, he can improve his ragalapana and swara prasthara, suitably. Still, it was a reassuring recital to prove his sincerity and progress. The instrumental support was provided by M S Govindaswamy and Murali Narayana Rao. After a Kanakadasa Pada "Deeena Nanu Samastha Lokake", Raghavendran concluded his concert with "Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma" customarily.
VERSATILE MUSICIAN
R K Padmanabha is a versatile artiste serving different branches of cultural field. He is a popular vocalist, an able teacher, composer, dramatist, novelist and of course a reputed organiser. He has also proved that he is also a good poet, with the release of collection of his poems, "Padma Kavithe." After the releasing ceremony, few selected lyrics from the collection were presented by five vocalists.
"Kannada Kalithe" and "Maduveyaguvudu" - were refreshing. Padmanabha has written poems on different themes interestingly like Maduve (marriage), Ragi, flower, music, etc. etc. "Surya Rashmi" in Purvikalyani and "Naadave Kashi" - were appealing for their lyrical quality and sweet melody. "Beledu Nintide Raagi" and "Huve Huve" were remarkable for their fervour.
Led by Guru Padmanabha, youngsters Prathima, Meera, Manoj Vasista and Arundhati Vasista - sang with good feeling and melody. Madhusudhan Bhat and Madhusudhan accompanied on Samvadini and tabala, respectively. Earlier, Padmanabha's novel "Vipra Vikrama" and a collection "Samarpana" were also released on the occasion.